Meet the Team

Our WISE Committee members are all volunteers who happily offer their time, energy and experience in support of colleagues throughout the health and safety profession.

Margaret van Schaik (Chair)

Margaret is a co founder of the Women in Safety NZ Group, started in 2010, and strongly believes in the encouragement, support and empowerment of women working in the health and safety profession. Margaret has 20 years experience in health and safety group management, advisory, and regulatory roles in New Zealand and has a passion for coaching and mentoring others. Margaret is a Chartered Member of IOSH, Certified Member of NZISM and a HASANZ Registered Health and Safety Professional. Margaret is Principal Consultant/Managing Director of van Schaik Health and Safety Solutions, a boutique H&S consultancy based in Wellington.

Jessie Jacobs

Jo Pugh

Jo Pugh is an experienced senior leader at New Zealand’s health and safety regulator, WorkSafe New Zealand. Based in Wellington, Jo has worked in health-and-safety regulation for over 18 years across a number of operational roles, including her current position as the Head of the General Inspectorate.

Jo, or GI Jo as she is often referred to, oversees a workforce of 190 staff who are responsible for targeted harm prevention regulatory activity in order to provide confidence that New Zealand workplaces are managing their risks appropriately. Jo is a strong advocate for collaborative engagement and proactive education, balanced with proportionate enforcement. As a Professional member of NZISM Jo is excited to work with like-minded colleagues within WISE, empowering women in the Health and Safety profession.

Karla Mendiburu

Karla immigrated from Mexico to New Zealand 9 years ago, with a background in international business. Karla is a Health and Safety Coordinator for a lower tier Major Hazard Facility in the Bay of Plenty and is currently in the process completing a Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Management. Karla is passionate about engaging with operational teams and changing workplace culture and enjoys traveling. Karla believes empowered women empower everyone.

Kate Milburn

Kate is passionate about creating resilience in communities and coaching leaders to connect with and nurture the potential of their people. This mahi has her working with clients to create optimum wellbeing for employees.

Kate has been a registered psychologist since 2009, she has a Master of Science in Psychology (First Class Honours), a Post Graduate Diploma in Industrial and Organisational Psychology, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration (HR Endorsement).

Kate Sutcliffe

Kate Sutcliffe has been working in the health and safety field for over 17 years. She started out as a Health and Safety Inspector, before moving into the areas of auditing, consulting / coaching and training. She is now a self-employed Health and Safety Specialist and Auditor, helping a number of companies make health and safety part of their everyday business. She is also part of the Avid Plus Ltd group of health and safety professionals. Kate is pleased to be part of a national group with the focus of promoting and supporting the profession.

Miriska Gerber

Miriska is a highly motivated, passionate, and experienced Health and Safety professional. She holds a master’s degree in occupational hygiene, is a member of several national and international professional bodies and is HASANZ registered. “Working today for a healthier tomorrow” is what drives her to not only do a great job, but to also enjoy her profession as a hobby. She is actively involved in New Zealand Health and Safety initiatives and serves on various Governance Groups where she truly aims to make a difference. Goals such as eliminating or mitigating occupational health risks or increasing the workforce capacity and capability in New Zealand, is what motivates her. Miriska is passionate about creating a safe and healthy work environment for all, but especially for when her two little girls (currently 2 and 4) enter the workforce (one day). She currently leads the SHHE team at Douglas Pharmaceuticals in NZ and Fiji as well as assists other organisations through her independent consulting business (Healthy Work Solutions Ltd).

Pamela (Pam) Mitchell

Pam is a registered Occupational Therapist with a long term interest in Management and Strategy. She believes in growing and empowering women to reach their potential and sees collaboration as a vehicle to achieve this. Pam is based in Auckland and has represented OTNZ on the HASANZ Governance Group for the last six years.

Pam originally trained as an occupational therapist, but her love of learning led her to graduate with a Master of Business Studies and a Post Graduate Diploma in Emergency Management. Pam has authored three books and has been involved in both the public and private sectors in management roles in health, banking, insurance and youth justice.

Currently Pam is the Audit, Assurance, Risk and Health and Safety Manager for a large primary health provider and has a particular interest in managing psychosocial risk.

Stacey Williams

Stacey is a general health and safety practitioner who has come through the GHSL internship pathway. Working in the government sector for the past 5 years, Stacey is a Health & Safety Business Partner working in healthcare and is in the process of completing her Postgraduate Diploma in Workplace Health and Safety. Passionate about driving human-centred innovation, Stacey believes in embodying the change that you want to see. Engagement is fundamental and embedded in our foundational principles.

Stacey is excited to learn from her colleagues within WISE and contribute to creating a space that empowers women in our ethos based profession.